CASH confiscated from criminals is being ploughed back into Yorkshire towns and cities to tackle alcohol-related crime in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.

Eleven crime and disorder reduction partnerships in the region - including those in Kirklees and Calderdale - have received money from the Government Office for Yorkshire and The Humber through the Home Office Recovered Assets Fund.

In all, partnerships in Yorkshire and the Humber are to share £100,000.

Calderdale is to get £20,000 and Kirklees £5,0000.

The money will be used to target under-age drinking and drunks who cause violent disorder along with bars and clubs which allow irresponsible and rowdy behaviour.

The money will help to pay for:

* High visibility patrols.

* Visits to licensed premises such as pubs and clubs to identify breaches in licensing regulations.

* Schemes to catch out shopkeepers who sell booze to underage youngsters.

* Issuing Acceptable Behaviour Contracts to young people found meeting in disorder hotspot areas and drinking alcohol.

* Prosecuting offenders.

Jacqui Lewis, director of community safety for the Government Office in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "The money we are confiscating from criminals is being used to fund the fight against crime and on this occasion we are using it to tackle alcohol-related disorder in communities across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

"These ill-gotten gains will play an important part in reducing drink-related anti-social behaviour, providing safer licensed premises and combating underage drinking in town and cities in the region.

"The message is clear - we are determined to take firm action against drunken louts and rogue licensees."

The Proceed of Crime Act 2002 allows police and customs officers to seize cash suspected to be the profit of crime or used in crime.

About £1m a week in suspect cash is currently being seized by law enforcement officers and £162m has been seized since the legislation was introduced.